Comparative Oncology

Milestones

Human medical and veterinary oncologists pursuing collaborative cancer research projects to benefit both people and pets have faced a significant gap in funding.

Since 1999, Animal Cancer Foundation has supported these collaborative cancer researchers seeking to improve clinical trial design, accelerate drug development, and improve outcomes for pets and people, a field known as comparative oncology.

2018 to 2020

2018

Canine Cancer Genome Project (CCGP) sponsored by the Blue Buffalo Foundation - inaugural $1 million matching gift - to map the genomes of the seven most common canine cancer tumors and place the datasets in the public domain for use by all cancer researchers.

Request for Proposals for this special project have been distributed and are being evaluated as of Fall 2018.

The purpose of the meetings is to bring together human and veterinary pathologists to compare and contrast the histiologic features and pathobiology of mucosal melanomas in humans and dogs. By addressing mucosal melanoma in the context of multiple species, the board will seek consensus analysis aimed to further progress in melanoma research and to assess the utility of the dog as a preclinical model for mucosal melanomas in people.

The meetings resulted in a consensus opinion published in the journal Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research, 2014 Jan; 27(1)37-47.

The board of directors revitalizes the mission and vision statements of the organization: Animal Cancer Foundation develops and supports research that advances the prevention and treatment of cancer for people and pets. The organization is committed to furthering research in comparative oncology to advance the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cancers that occur in people and pets and will be a pre-eminent resource in educating the the public and scientific communities.

1999 to 2002

2002

Gerald P. Murphy Cancer Foundation and Purdue University participate with ACF in a study of the high incidence of osteosarcoma (bone cancer) in Rottweilers resulting in publication of Endogenous Gonadal Hormone Exposure and Bone Sarcoma Risk in Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention (Nov. 02) and Cancer Clues From Pet Dogs in Scientific American (2006).

2001

Collaboration with SUGEN*, then an independent company, and Cheryl London, DVM, Dipomate ACVIM (Oncology), PhD, then at UC Davis, in advanced biotech research initiatives designed to benefit pets and people. Palladia, the first veterinary specific cancer drug approved by the FDA, is a result of this early research.

2000

Collaboration with The Rogosin Institute, a non-profit medical treatment and research initiative at the New York Weill-Cornell Medical Center on the initital research into the use of macrobeads in cancer treatment. Results are eventually published in the journal Cancer Research (Feb. 1, 2011).

1999

Animal Cancer Foundation, The Ruth & Sam Newman Initiative, is incorporated in California, October 1999, and is granted 501(c)(3) status. The foundation is the vision of Gerald S. Post, DVM, Diplomate ACVIM (Oncology) and is named in memory of his grandparents "two people who cherished life and whose love, compassion and understanding of all things human and animal will always be remembered." The mission of the organization is to find a cure for animal cancer, increase public understanding of pet cancer, and to foster collaboration between human and veterinary oncologists. This is the first national foundation supporting comparative oncology.

Dr. Norman Orentreich, Orentreich Foundation for the Advancement of Science, lends his vision and support to Dr. Post in the creation of Animal Cancer Foundation.